Four FIU grads finalists for HYPE Miami Awards


The HYPE Miami Awards presented annually by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce recognize up-and-coming young professionals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements.

Dr. Edilberto Alvarez on Graduation Day 2014

Dr. Edilberto Alvarez on Graduation Day 2014

This year, four of the finalists for The Most Valuable Graduate (MVG) Award – Edilberto Alvarez, M.D., Rocio De La Grana, Jinny Gunn, M.D., and Miriam Mercado ’11 – are graduates of FIU.

Alvarez, a graduate of FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM), was born in Hialeah to Cuban exile parents and was one of the top 10 graduates in the Class of 2014.

“Being considered for this award is an honor and has given me new energy to continue to pursue my dreams,” said Alvarez, who is currently in his first year of residency in internal medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital. In July, he will begin a four-year residency there in the highly competitive field of radiology.

Dr. Jinny Gunn and her son on Match Day 2014.

Dr. Jinny Gunn and her son on Match Day 2014.

Jinny Gunn,  also an HWCOM graduate, is a native of Titusville, Florida, had a career in the U.S. Navy as a mechanic on a shipboard nuclear reactor before pursuing a degree in psychology and then deciding to become a doctor – juggling the tough demands of being a single mom and a medical student.

At the 2014 Spring Commencement Ceremony, Gunn was recognized as a Worlds Ahead graduate. She is now in her first year of a five-year general surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, and has expressed interest in one day working with Doctors Without Borders in order to treat people around the world who don’t have access to modern health care.

“Both Edilberto and Jinny distinguished themselves for their leadership, compassion and dependability,” said Dr. Bob Dollinger, HWCOM assistant dean for student affairs, whose job requires him to work closely with all the students.

Rocio De La Grana immigrated to the United States from Cuba was she was a small child.  After getting her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies she decided to pursue her true calling and get a second bachelor’s in social work. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2014.

Rocio de la Grana, Dean's Academic Excellence Award Recipient, Social Work, BSSW 2014

Rocio de la Grana, Dean’s Academic Excellence Award Recipient, Social Work, BSSW 2014

De la Grana  is currently getting master’s in social work at FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, and expected to graduate in Summer 2015. In January, she will commence the clinical practicum portion of the program at the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development. She serves as a student representative on the Student Conduct Committee at FIU and is a member of the steering committee. She is also the current masters of social work student representative for the National Association of Social Workers at the Miami-Dade County Unit.

Mercado holds a master of international and intercultural Education. She is an assistant director at the JCC Maccabi Games and is helping to plan the JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest this August in Fort Lauderdale, which helps train Jewish athletes for Olympic-style games.

Mercado, a graduate of the College of Education, returned to campus recently during Panther Alumni Week and spoke to students in Assistant Professor Meg Gardinier’s International Development Education class about her career and how a master’s degree sets her apart.

“As a recent graduate it was a big surprise to be nominated for the HYPE Miami Award,” Mercado said. “I was very humbled to hear I was one of the finalists. To be among the finalist is a great honor. I am very grateful for the opportunity.”

The awards will be presented on March 4, 2015 at Jungle Island during the Chamber’s monthly Trustee Luncheon.

Read the entire lists of finalists here.